Notre Dame vs BYU Prediction: Odds, expert picks, team and player news, betting trends, and stats

As the Week 7 schedule features a plethora of top 25 matchups, the most anticipated game this evening is the clash between #3 Notre Dame (6-0) and #8 BYU (5-0) on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. Both teams boast formidable defenses that rank inside the top 10 in scoring.

Notre Dame, returning from a 58-7 victory over Stanford, is coming off a dominant performance. Their offense scored on 10 of 11 drives against Stanford, outgaining their opponent by a wide margin—598-203 total yards. The Irish defense, on the other hand, forced three turnovers, and their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks is a key strength.

BYU, meanwhile, entered the game without the services of star running back LJ Martin, who will miss his second consecutive game. However, they proved resilient against Iowa State, generating 506 yards of offense and featuring a standout performance from Bear Bachmeier, who racked up 329 passing yards, 109 rushing yards, and two touchdowns in just 24 carries.

As for the matchup specifics, expect a battle between two top defenses. Notre Dame's defense is ranked No. 1 in pressure grades, tied for sixth in coverage grades, and No. 1 in rush defense, while BYU's defense allows an average of 13.4 points per game and has given up 44 total points through three conference games. This showdown of two elite defenses is sure to be an exciting display of football.